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THE FERTILE LAKE
Tasik Dayang Bunting (Lake of the Preg-
nant Maiden) is a Langkawi’s largest fresh
water lake that is located on the island
of Dayang Bunting. But how did the lake
get its unusual name? The legend goes
that there was once a young man named
Mat Teja who fell in love with a beautiful
female genie called Mambang Sari, who
used to frequent the island accompanied
by her maids. He sought the advice of
an local old sage named Tok Diang who
advised him to his face with mermaid
tears in order to get Mambang Sari to fall
in love with him.
Mat Teja followed the advice of the old
sage and when Mambang Sari saw him,
she fell in love with him. Before long,
they were happily married and Mambang
Sari became pregnant. Unfortunately, the
baby died seven days after its birth and in
her grief, Mambang Sari laid her baby’s
body to rest in the deep waters of a lake
that’s now known as Tasik Dayang Bun-
ting. It is believed that the water of the
lake possesses some mystical power of
helping barren women to bear children.
These days, the fresh water lake is the
perfect spot for cooling off on a hot day by
plunging into its deep waters. It’s a great
spot for relaxing with your family if you’re
on a holiday as you can hire a pedalo and
go for a paddle around the large lake. Take
in the wondrous sight of the surrounding
mountains that’s said to be the outline of
Mambang Sari’s pregnant belly, guarding
the watery tomb of her child.
WHERE FAIRIES GATHER
Telaga Tujuh is perhaps one of the oldest
and the most beautiful geological marvels
of Langkawi. This beautiful waterfall is
a collection of seven intertwined rocky
pools or wells with refreshing cascades
of mountain water gliding delightfully
from one pool to another. Hence, it is also
known as Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells).
According to local folklore, the waterfall
is believed to have healing properties and
is said to have been the frequent bathing
place of seven beautiful, ethereal fairies
who would bathe there under the glow
of the moonlight at the very top of the
waterfall when it was absent of humans.
The plants and shrubs around the waters
are also said to be left by these fairies. A
prince once tried to capture the fairies,
but they vanished into the thin air, never
to be seen again.
Now, Telaga Tujuh is the spot for
adventure enthusiasts who can brave the
steep climb to the top of the waterfalls,
past huge rocks and through the seven
pools. The road leading to the top is
very steep and one must trek for about
800 meters uphill to get to the top of the
falls. The journey is an exciting one as
you can come across exotic creatures like
macaque monkeys, giant squirrels or a
glimpse of a horn bill hanging to the tree
tops if you get lucky.
LAIR OF VAMPIRES
There is a famous cave on the island of
Pulau Dayang Bunting in Langkawi with a
chilling name called Gua Langsuir which
means ‘Cave of Vampires’. It is said to be
the dwelling place of vampires because
of the high-pitched sound that flows out
from the depths of the cave. Situated
among the rocks slightly higher than
sea level, this eerie cave is occupied by
thousands of bats residing in the large
and murky chambers within.
Locals would think twice before step-
ping into the cave as it is believed to be
home to female vampires or banshees
known as Langsuir in Malay folklore.
They would perch themselves on the
cliffs in front of the cave in the form of
beautiful women to lure unsuspecting
sailors and fishermen into the cave where
they would be devoured. Despite all the
superstations attached to the cave, it is
worth an exploration but only for skilled
cavers and climbers with perfect physical
health as the incline to the cave requires
great climbing expertise.
The calm and serene Tasik Dayang Bunting
The Macaque Monkey